(flash fiction entry for a 524-word contest, on a picture prompt by Penmancy.com)
Book review: Sin is the new love
Author: Abir Mukherjee
This is the first thriller by an Indian author that I have been able to give an intrigue-filled read. Well written.
Ahi, the prodigal, strong, and fearless daughter of a DGP is an aspiring publisher who wishes to make it big someday. Devang Awasthi is her favorite writer and one day she finds a manuscript of the late writer’s autobiography mailed to her. The transcripts involve details of his history of a troubled childhood, confessions of the dead writer’s heinous crimes, illegal businesses, and partners in the criminal syndicate he was a part of! On the surface, the publishing of the manuscript would give Ahi the needed impetus in her career to soar the peaks.
However, a chance trip to Noida to get the needed permission to publish the book takes her on a dangerous roller-coaster ride amidst gruesome murders and she finds herself at the center of the crime vortex. Her whirlwind search for the truth lands her on the brink of finding the morbid truth about her origins, which is gut-wrenching…
The author had brilliantly weaved the plots to converge them well, joining all the dots appropriately at regular intervals. The salient feature of the book is it involved two styles of writing and it keeps you intrigued throughout.
The story ends with a cliffhanger and I look forward to the sequel!
Chimera…
#flashfiction
story entry for a 500-word contest.
Topic “Alter: you seem different…”
Her chest heaved heavily as her rage surpassed all boundaries, the skies filled with her shrieking laughter, her furious gaze fell on the demon armies. ‘Raktabeeja’ was at his ravaging best marauding the celestial world.
Dark skin hanging loose and the tiger skin barely covering her, the hag adorned with skull garland and an unruly mane arrived armed with the sword of vengeance. She began her rampage swallowing the demons into her oral abyss. The rest met their end as she opened her brilliantly flaming third eye adorning her Vermilion smeared forehead. The earth vibrated as she moved her claws destroying the demons who had dared to challenge the empyrean powers. Finally, she pierced Raktabeeja and consumed his blood till it drained off completely from his body, finally annihilating him. Her fury refused to die as she continued the upheaval and Lord Shiva lay on her path to end the mayhem…
The alarm pierced through her senses waking Ramya with a start. She had fallen asleep reading Maa Kali’s folklore in the tiny bedroom in her shanty. Her school teacher had given her the book before she was forced to drop out. Her father who had more alcohol than blood running through his veins had sold the motherless girl to the highest bidder. From then on, her life had been a tumulus roller coaster servicing the lecherous mortals who were no less than ravenous beasts. Eventually, she had settled into matrimony hoping for a happily ever after.
Her assumptions were nosedived with a husband no less than a barbarous pimp who lived off her income by soliciting men for her every night. An abiding sex slave, she had jumped from the frying pan to the fire. …
It was just last evening that she had recovered the tattered storybook and had fallen asleep that afternoon reading it. As she woke up, her chimera remained vivid. There was a surge of energy in her frail body as the resentment towards her father and husband resurfaced. Hopelessness paved way to a strange determination.
Her husband returned late evening along with a customer. However, as he entered their bedroom to summon her, he was taken aback. Standing before the cracked mirror was Ramya adorned in a black saree, her kohl-laden bloodshot eyes filled with molten rage, her defiant mop flying all over with a mind of their own.
“What is all this…? You seem different…” he spoke tentatively.
She turned towards him and shoved a sickle stunning him to fall on the hard floor.
“Wait… what are you doing…What is wrong with you…?” he wailed shuffling back to hit the wall.
“I am different, asshole…” Her voice reverberated through the mephitic air. “…it’s high time, you pathetic excuse for a human realize… this is MY life … I refuse to bow to your whims anymore. The Raktabeejas in my life will be destroyed, no matter how many sprouts up again…” Ramya declared with a foot on his chest.
Maa Kali had been summoned…
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Raktabeeja: In Hinduism, Raktabeeja was an asura (loosely translated as demon) who fought with Shumbha and Nishumbha against Goddess Parvati, Goddess Kali or Goddess Chamunda. Raktabeeja had a boon that whenever a drop of his blood fell on the ground, a duplicate Raktabeeja would be born at that spot (rakta = blood, beeja = seed; “he for whom each drop of blood is a seed”)
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©priyagole
Book Review: A rogue’s love story…
Author: Krish Gangadharan
The story is about the protagonist Chandran Ramachandran who is the prodigal son, with a typical south Indian middle-class upbringing and brilliant in academic pursuits. he has it all going for him till he is betrayed by someone whom he trusted and loses it all. He pursues his career quite well overseas but can’t leave his conniving ways to make money and fall into the honey trap. he loses it all yet again.
As a reader, I am disappointed with the narrative. It’s not plausible that someone who is so brilliant and street smart gets betrayed over and over and still manages to rise up from the ashes. As a woman, I hate the objectification of every woman in the story. I don’t deny there are gold diggers but it’s difficult to believe the rapid falling-in-love episodes… it’s more of lust from what is portrayed otherwise.
The font size is too small compared to the average and I think that can be taken care of in the following editions. Having said that, a bit of content editing would have made this a good read.
Book review: cross my heart
Author: James Patterson
In a single word, this book is phenomenal…
I am in awe of the way the author had linked farfetched plots and subplots beautifully to converge them into something beyond imagination.
Alex Cross is a cop and a complete family man. He lives a normal life with his wife Bree, also a cop, three children, and his grandmother. His days are spent hunting down criminals and solving crimes as expected but… A deranged man thinks he is far superior to Alex and eventually kidnaps his entire family in broad daylight. The preparations have been in place for a long time and Alex is now within the man’s psycho radar. Suddenly the tables are turned where Alex is now hunted and preyed upon.
Alex has made enemies but no one more lethal and closer to this one. Will his family perish…? He has spent a lifetime protecting others…would he be unable to protect his loved ones?
The novel ends on a cliff-hanger and I look forward to reading the next part.
There are parts where the intelligent antagonist teases Alex and sends crumbs his way leading to solving of a cold case involving mass murders. It makes the reader ponder over the strange ways in which the brainpower is put to use.
This was my first read by the author and a few of his books have breezed their way into my TBR list!
#herwill #maritalrape
Radhika Singh traipsed through her daughter’s room. Chitra’s favorite talc lingered days after she had left for her marital home as a bedazzling young bride. Radhika only hoped they had done well by her. A teacher by profession, Chitra had opted for a career break as she settled in her new home in a new town. Her parents-in-law were family friends and were accommodating of her choices. They were open to Chitra working and that was beyond Radhika’s expectations. Rubbing a cloth over a framed picture of Chitra and herself she smiled. It was taken during their trip to Matheran a few years ago when Chitra was studying in Mumbai and they had visited her. Radhika beamed at the memories of her darling daughter the epitome of obedience and morals, expected in their conservative household. She had always worried when Chitra had insisted on doing her M.Ed from Mumbai but her husband, Manohar had trusted their daughter and had let her go. True to her word Chitra had returned home after obtaining her degree and loads of accolades and… thankfully without a boyfriend. When Manohar had told Chitra to consider marrying Rahul a dynamic MBA with a multinational, she hadn’t refused.
Radhika’s vision blurred seeing Chitra and Rahul’s smiling picture on her phone taken on the day of the wedding. They made such a beautiful couple. Clad in the sequined red Lehenga choli with the traditional jewelry adorning her pretty face, Chitra looked no less than a royal princess, and Rahul her knight in shining armor. A die-hard romantic, Chitra always believed in happily ever after. Today they were to return from their honeymoon and Rahul had to leave for the US in a week on official work. Chitra was all set to accompany her husband and Radhika couldn’t be happier. All their relatives had fawned over Rahul and had pegged Chitra ‘lucky’ to have landed such a catch despite her plain looks. Chitra wasn’t the quintessential beauty as per their social standards but she was simple and grounded. The Singhs were well off and Chitra was the prodigal daughter after an older son and she was followed by a younger brother.
Chitra had spoken to Radhika only twice since they were in a place with a very poor network but she often texted saying she was happy and having fun… Now though nothing looked amiss, worry gnawed at Radhika and she wished to hear Chitra’s voice for herself once she returned…only then she would be at peace. She was roused from her reverie by the door knock. Radhika placed the photo frame back on the table and rushed downstairs to answer the door before the noise woke up the rest of the family.
The main door creaked open with the tiny metal bells jingling, again Chitra’s choice. She loved wooden carvings and such artifacts. Radhika’s nostalgic smile soon faded when she saw the early morning visitor. A disheveled Chitra stood at the threshold. She had worn jeans and an off-shoulder t-shirt which was half tucked in. Radhika remembered Chitra had included the outfit as a part of the honeymoon shopping… Chitra held the suitcase handle, her grip a pale white as if her life depended on it. The other hand had clutched her purse close to her bosom moving rapidly along with her fast-paced breath bordering alongside dyspnea. Her unruly mane fluttered away to glory forming a wild hallow around her head. The swollen lower lip was split in the right corner and the blood had crusted… even as Radhika took in a quick breath unable to fathom the situation. Radhika’s vision blurred as she saw Chitra’s kohl smudged eyes which were red-rimmed as if she had been crying for ages. The proverbial sindoor had forged its path amidst the sweat beads smearing all over Chitra’s upper forehead. There were… marks on her shoulder… like bite marks and some tiny nail marks with dried blood. Chitra stood trembling like the leaf on the adjoining Tulsi plant and Radhika pulled her into her arms. Chitra let out a painful sob digging her head into her mother’s shoulder.
“…Chitra… what happened bitiya…? Where is Damadji…?” Radhika tried to blink away tears as she looked to check if Rahul was around. She wrapped her shawl around Chitra’s bare shoulders and helped her into the house. The mother-daughter duo made it to Chitra’s room and Radhika immediately shut the door latching it. Chitra strutted ahead and sat on the bed staring at the floor, tears still meandering their way down her cheeks.
Terrified to the core Radhika contemplated the worst possible scenarios. Did someone attack the couple…? Was Rahul OK…? She rubbed a worried hand on Chitra’s back to pacify the young woman but… she flinched. Was the girl hurt even more?
“…bitiya…you are scaring me… what is it…? You were to return from your honeymoon today… was there an accident…? Is Rahul… all right…?” Chitra plonked on the bed to her side and cocooned herself in the fetal position as she continued to whimper.
Radhika’s heart galloped faster threatening to tear out of the thoracic confines. She mustered every ounce of strength and uttered softly. “…Chitra… the rest of the household will be up any moment… we will have to answer the curious questions… everyone will be worried, darling…” Seeing no response from her daughter she continued. “…OK… fine… at least freshen up and let me tend to those… wounds… change into fresh clothes…” That seemed to affect and Chitra moved with a snail’s pace towards her attached bathroom.
Radhika rushed outside to her bedroom where Manohar continued to sleep unmindful of his dear daughter’s condition. She picked up the first-aid box and headed back to Chitra’s room. Chitra emerged from her bath in a daze and changed into fresh clothes that Radhika had laid out for her. Radhika nursed the superficial wounds and helped her settle back on the bed. She then held Chitra’s cold hands and spoke. “…Tell me bitiya… now…”
“…Maa…” Chitra spoke her voice cracking with the emotional overlay. “…Maa… I … I … was raped…” She bent her head forward as a muffled wail tore out of her covered mouth. Radhika’s heart sank… a kaleidoscopic canopy of emotions bombarded her body and mind as dark visuals surfaced in her mind’s eye… the horrifying vignettes that could cause every girl’s heart to capsize in terror.
“…Who… who… did that… and where is Rahul…?” Radhika asked after a minute-long reprieve.
Chitra tardily rose her head, her bloodshot eyes further marred with swollen eyelids even as the tears didn’t cease to flow. Staring right into Radhika’s eyes she spoke with a constricted throat. “…it was him, Maa… Rahul… he… raped me…”
Radhika abruptly stood knocking down the first aid box in the process. She looked around and felt her life resonating with the scattered tubes, pill bottles, medicine strips, gauze, and tapes. Gathering them up with trembling hands and clogged throat she sat next to Chitra who looked expectantly at her. “…Bitiya… what are you saying… Rahul…? He is your husband…”
“…But Maa…” Chitra wailed. “…He… raped me…he hurt me bad…I … I… won’t go back ever again… I am done…” She looked away.
“…Chitra… you can’t say all this… its… its unbelievable… they are such good people… we know them…”
“…So… Maa… am I bad then…? Do I deserve this…?” Chitra pointed at her face
“…You don’t get it bitiya… getting together…” She brought her hands together as if to indicate. “…it’s a part of getting married… it’s just there… it’s a part of… bitiya…you are educated and know that…”
“…I know Maa… I know… but… you don’t get me… do you…? He forced himself on me… from the first night… even last night… Maa… it was unbearably painful… and I did not want it…”
“…Bitiya… all that is painful initially… but we get used to it… and that brings the couple close to each other… that’s how you will have children in future…”
“…Maa…what about my wishes…? If I am not a willing participant…? Does it give him a right to… hurt me…?”
“…bitiya… you are being unreasonable… Ok… let us talk later after you calm down… all right…? Rest here while I send you breakfast…”
Radhika couldn’t wait to head outside as an overwhelming sense of foreboding washed over her. What was all that about…? They had doubly checked Rahul’s credentials. He was a caring guy and Chitra had liked him as well. What would happen now…? She walked on autopilot towards the kitchen abuzz with aromas of fresh tea, coffee, and varied breakfast items the Singh family relished. Her co-sisters-in-law were busy making the arrangements and looked up questioningly. Radhika remained silent as she went about adding the finishing touches.
Later post breakfast, Radhika gathered the women and announced Chitra’s arrival and all that had transpired. As expected, they were flustered… everyone giving opinions on the apocalyptical appearance of the daughter back home within days after tying the knot. Like Radhika, they felt Chitra needed time to adjust to the new norms of marital life. Soon Chitra’s mother-in-law called and Radhika heaved a sigh of relief, the lady seemed clueless. Rahul had conveyed to her Chitra missed her folks and would be staying with them for a while. Radhika assured the lady Chitra was fine and would be home soon…
That evening everyone minus the children had gathered in the drawing-room. By now everyone was abreast with the accounts, and Chitra who stayed up in her room till then was summoned. Her cousins got her down. She was in her pajamas and had not bothered with vanity. She sat next to Radhika as her grandmother questioned. “…Chitra bitiya… where are the mangalsutra and sindoor…? You are married now… you should be wearing all that…”
Chitra didn’t respond but stared at the floor clasping her palms in a death grip. Radhika nodded at her husband who spoke. “…Bitiya… you shouldn’t have done this… is this what we have taught you…? Is this out sanskaar…? our morals…? You didn’t even inform your in-laws…?”
Chitra spoke softly. “…Baba… do you think I could have gone like this to ask permission from my in-laws…?” she pointed towards her face. The marks had begun to fade and the lip swelling had almost reduced to nothing.
Manohar cleared his throat. “…We… we have managed the situation for now. But bitiya… your Maa said…” He rubbed his face. “… how can you accuse Rahul of….” He looked up at the false ceiling and sighed. “…Bitiya…it’s all a part of marriage… you know that don’t you…?”
“…Baba…? Does that mean… Rahul can do what he wants…hit me and force me to…?”
“…Bitiya… you are husband-wife… you are supposed to…” Manohar looked alarmed at her argument.
Chitra stood up. She looked around at her folk and Radhika could only stare at her daughter.
“Maa… baba… dadiji and all of you…I know a husband and wife are meant to get close… but shouldn’t the act be of mutual consent… why should the husband… force himself on the wife… just because he has married her…? Baba… you couldn’t even say the word… but I have been through it. Baba… you don’t even know the hell I have been put through all these days…I… I am not going back to that monster again…” Chitra declared folding her arms close to her chest.
The Singh household was stunned to silence. Chitra’s grandmother broke the ice. “…Look bitiya… once you get married you belong to your husband and not your parents… you are Rahul’s responsibility and what you are saying is… that man’s right…”
“…What about my rights dadiji…?” Chitra countered. “…do you remember telling us to beware of the bad wolves out there… to save our virtue… what is the difference here then…? Rape is never consensual… does a marriage certificate give the… consent…?”
“…BITIYA…” her father bellowed standing up and the room fell into a pin drop silence with only the grandfather’s clock ticking away without a care in the world. “… you are talking nonsense… we never forced you to marry Rahul… he is a great guy… well educated… good career… very good family… you are fortunate… what is all this…? Can’t you adjust a little…? What do you want him to do…? Look for women outside…? Are you stupid…? Does your education scramble your head like this…? Radhika…” he looked towards his wife. “…Breathe some sense into her… she can stay here for a few days… but after that, she has to go back to Rahul’s house… Chitra, you are having a golden opportunity to visit the US…live independently… how lucky you are…” he shook his head and walked out. Each family member walked back to their rooms, leaving Chitra and Radhika behind.
As Radhika tucked a crying Chitra into her bed, the latter asked. “…Maa… the balance has tilted…? Because I am married…? My wishes and well-being… don’t matter anymore…?”
“…Bitiya… sleep for now… we will talk tomorrow…” Radhika almost whispered and left the room.
The next few days flew in a jiffy with curious relatives and neighbors dropping in to the Singh household with greater frequency. Though the family members were tightlipped about the real reasons for Chitra’s return, such scandalous information often found its way outside snowballing into something different from the original. Radhika tried her best to keep the situation from causing a greater catastrophe… but she wasn’t herself anymore. She had to listen to ‘advice’ meted out from all directions about her daughter being ‘paraya dhan…’ Within a couple of days of Chitra’s arrival, the other women at home spoke about the bad influence on their daughters and the poor prospects for their marriage if the news leaked out. Radhika resumed her hypertension medication owing to the stress that had begun to take a toll on her health. She was torn between the love and belief in her daughter and her duties as the quintessential oldest daughter-in-law who had to uphold the family values and returning of the daughter post-marriage didn’t find a place in the archaic rulebook. Chitra refused to heed to anything or even be open to discussion and had secluded herself in her room all day long. Rahul tried calling on their landline often as Chitra had switched off her mobile but she refused to speak to him.
Finally, five days after Chitra had returned, Rahul dropped in with a bouquet and gifts for everyone. As always, he won them all over with his intellectual talk and anecdotes. Chitra made her way downstairs and sat opposite Rahul while everyone around trod on eggshells. Radhika swarmed over the place trying to maintain every ounce of normalcy but things were easier said than done. Rahul stood up and spoke to everyone present. “…I sincerely apologize to all of you from the bottom of my heart… for all that happened… but it wasn’t intentional… I got carried away… I love your daughter and I would do anything to make things right…” He looked at Chitra and continued. “… come on Chitra… let’s go home…”
Chitra shook her head. “…No Rahul…I am not in the right frame of mind… what happened can’t be erased… I need time to get over…”
“…What the hell happened Chitra… that you are so upset about…? Have I insulted you or your family or have we demanded dowry or imposed anything…?” Rahul blurted out.
Manohar then intervened. “…Chitra… bitiya… Rahul is correct… they have been nothing but wonderful… even now all these days your in-laws were courteous despite your outrageous behavior…”
“…baba… outrageous…? So objecting to someone forcing himself on me is outrageous…?”
“…Chitra cut the crap…you are crossing the lines…” Rahul spoke in a warning tone.
“…Why Rahul…? You could do it to me for days but I can’t even talk about it…?”
“…We are married for crying out aloud… isn’t it… my right to get intimate with my wife…?”
“…Oh, Rahul…it is… but if I am not up to it, I have a right to refuse as well…”
“…We were on our honeymoon… goddamn it…”
“…Rahul…” Chitra wiped the tears streaming down her cheeks. “…I was scared about everything… you knew it… you were experienced but I wasn’t….” Radhika cringed inwardly hearing her daughter but she remained a mute spectator. Chitra needed to vent out. “…Rahul… I adored you… you said you loved me… but do you abuse someone you love…?”
“…You are being ridiculous about this … making a mountain of a molehill… the suite was so beautifully decorated… I got it done just for you and you didn’t… dint even let me touch you…how am I supposed to feel after waiting for months… Papaji…?” Rahul looked at her Manohar who sat in stoic silence, his displeasure evident from the firm set of his jaw and angry stare at the center table. “…Papaji… Chachaji… you can understand my plight…can’t you…? I was married to the woman I love and I wasn’t allowed to even…” He rubbed his face. “…This is so embarrassing… Chitra… let’s just go home and discuss all this…please…”
Before Chitra could reply, Manohar stood up holding his hand up. “…No more discussion in this house… Chitra give Rahul another chance, bitiya… he has apologized to you in front of all of us…”
“…Give him a chance to rape me again…? Is that what you are saying baba…? Like marriage gave him a chance to be a ravenous beast… does my WILL have no say…?”
There was silence all over even as Rahul looked taciturnly around. Radhika looked up at her favorite painting in the living room. The varied hues depicted the dazzling Sun emerging from the clouds announcing its arrival amidst nature’s pomp and splendor. She knew what she had to do and stood next to Chitra. “…My daughter’s will matters… to me…”
Radhika had just announced the arrival of the new dawn…
©priyagole.
epilogue
Epilogue
Later as they sat next to each other in his condo in Varca, Simrat told him her story from the last decade, her tryst with Rehmat that rendered her barren for life. Anshuman held her as she vented out her deepest emotions. She told him, how she had anticipated Kasim’s steps and had prepared herself… As soon as she had come to, under the pretext of using the washroom she had created a distraction and then had overpowered a couple of guards to take their key. She had opened the front door and moved to gradually overpower a couple of other guards who were caught unawares. Meanwhile, the SOP had got inside and done the rest. Fortunately, Manpreet had been blissfully sleeping unmindful of what had happened. Even now he had been busy sketching in the drawing-room of his condo. Anshuman held Simrat’s hands. As they intertwined their fingers he said. “…thank you Simrat… for letting me see Meera for the last time and for being a mom to Manpreet… for keeping my family protected… and now will that include you as well…?”Simrat smiled and nodded, tears escaping the confines of her pretty eyes. “…Yes Anshuman… I want to be your family…forever…”
His life had just ricocheted …yet again but this time he welcomed it with open arms.
Meanwhile on the Mumbai Goa highway….
He ran along the forest region… he had run throughout the night and his body ached with the piercing pain… his feet were blistered and he barely had energy before he fell dead. But this wasn’t the time to rest… he couldn’t. He had to prove his innocence… the SOP had discarded him. For no fault of his… he had just followed the rules…. He had given his prime years to SOP. His family had thought him dead years ago and he was glad now… they would have been hounded by the SOP to get what he had found.
He had uncovered something sinister in his last undercover mission. Fortunately, he was under the highly classified team where only his immediate boss Major Rana and his colleagues Rudra, Bishop, and Pratap knew about him…his identity. But the mission had gone wrong and he had uncovered information that would create major ripples in the central Government functioning… Unfortunately, Major Rana had been murdered just before he was to meet him in a motel near Calangute, Goa and he had to run away. Rudra was killed on the field and Bishop and Pratap were incognito… No one besides these four knew about him or his meeting point with Major Rana. So did Bishop or Pratap betray him…? He didn’t know for sure but major Rana who was also his mentor had taught him a very important lesson… ‘never to trust anyone but your instincts…’
He had to find his footing soon. He had to gather his bearings and use the proof he had on him… to unearth further evidence… he didn’t have money or anyone he could contact. Except… for Suhas uncle… the retired Army Major… who had been like a surrogate father to him since childhood and had helped him sail through his painful childhood years. He was the only one who knew about his stint with the SOP and that he was still alive… he now had to reach Suhas uncle who had settled in Lohagad near Lonavala… he just had to make it there…
He would survive this. Just as another bout of pain pierced his spine, he inhaled and pushed himself. He would get through and emerge victoriously.. he was called slayer for a reason.
©priyagole. No part of the story can be copied or shared anywhere without the consent of the writer.
Dear Readers
Thank you all for being patient and reading yet another story. As always your love and comments are overwhelming. I will be back after a little break with my next thriller tentatively titled ‘Slayer’.
Till then do write in.
CIAO…
Love
Priya
closure…
Chapter 25
With trembling legs for support, Anshuman followed Kasim through the first floor to the corner-most room. The door was shut and Anshuman typed in a code for digital access. There was a beep and the door clicked open accelerating Anshuman’s heartbeats. The unfailing antiseptic odor hit him first followed by the stead-fast beep of the monitors in sync with what looked like a ventilator. Right in the middle of the huge bed there lay a frail body or what remained of a body… it was more like a skeleton. Anshuman’s legs gave away and Kasim held him to steady him as his body was wreaked by sobs. He held the foot bar of the bed and cried watching what remained of his sister.
She could have easily passed off as a carcass… if not for the beeping of the ventilator. He wished for once she could be freed from the torture of being forced to breathe. The facial skin and muscle were barely there and everything had sunk in. Contractures had formed in her wasted limbs which were bent and stiff under the thin cotton blanket. The eyes were shut but were sunk deeply into their orbits… there was barely any hair on her scalp and her lips were partly open where the tube was put in and it was a miracle she had sustained so far… Oh Meera… what was her destiny…? Her life had ricocheted in so many ways he didn’t even know where it had landed or what she was destined to face even when she was not living. He had desperately wished to see her but not like this. At this moment he wished she were dead… that brought about a fresh bout of tears.
“…Why Kasim… why…? Why Meera… why did she have to suffer like this…?” he wailed sitting on the floor beside the bed.
Kasim patted his back. “… Anshuman I am taking her to the UK with me … I will arrange for the best care for her… though she can’t… I mean… I will see to it Manpreets knows her…”
Suddenly Anshuman looked up. “…Manpreet… has he seen her…?”
Kasim shook his head. “…No not yet… he had been crying incessantly while Simrat tried to fight off my men… we had to sedate them…they are fine… I had a doctor see them…”
Anshuman rubbed his face. “…Though I want to hate you Kasim… I love Meera too much for that… I know she was very happy with you… I saw a picture of you two together… Simrat had it but your face was not clear… she looked… at peace…Kasim…? Can I request you something…?”
Kasim looked at him and nodded. “…Anshuman, Meera adored you… said you were a father figure to her and she often spoke about you whenever we talked… so I have the utmost respect for you… just tell me man…”
Anshuman stood up and walked towards him. Keeping a hand on his shoulder, he inhaled deeply. “…Kasim… just… please… let her go…” Anshuman swallowed hard as he tried to take control of his failing emotions.
Kasim jerked away and his hand fell to his side. “..what the hell Anshuman… do you know what you are saying…? She is your sister…”
“…Look at her Kasim… she is vegetative… my heart breaks too… I have lived the last decade looking for her… do you think this is easy…? But Kasim… she is in pain… even if she can’t feel it… she doesn’t know anything that’s going on… its injustice to her… she is gone already… let’s release her body…Kasim… free her from the torture… she had had enough…” Anshuman held his face n his palms as he cried his heart out.
“…Anshuman… I have lived all these years only in the hope of seeing her and Manpreet… Meera was my Oxygen all these years… at least I know she is here physically…”
“…Please Kasim… oh God… help my sister…I can’t bear this…”
Just then as if the heavens answered his plea, the instruments started to beep frantically and before they could react, Meera flatlined.
Kasim screamed into his walkie-talkie to call for the doctor while also calling out Meera’s name as if she was just waiting to wake up from the deep stupor. Kasim started pacing berserkly with tears streaming down his bearded cheeks… “…No…Meera Don’t… don’t leave me… please… NO…” he wailed with flailing arms.
Anshuman stood transfixed and suddenly the door opened and Simrat rushed in… followed by his guards. She stood rooted near the bed and stared at Meera’s corpse… Anshuman moved towards her and he didn’t know who moved first but they were in each other’s arms as she cried into his chest. Finally, the gravity of the situation started to sink in and Anshuman sobbed into her hair… He had not expected to see Meera and since December he had assumed her dead… but now as Meera’s mortal remains lay before him he couldn’t contain it. It was as if she was waiting for him to breathe her last… she waited for a decade for her loving brother…
Just then there were sounds of shots fired and Kasim looked around confused. Anshuman looked at Simrat. He silently asked about Manpreet. She nodded which meant she had it under control… how did she get to the room escaping Kasim’s men was beyond him. But he was grateful she was here sharing his turmoil. Kasim brandished a pistol and pointed towards them. “…I didn’t want to do this Anshuman… but looks like you have given me no choice…” He was hyperventilating as if ensnared by some evil forces… his bloodshot eyes threatening to fall apart the look on his face blank…as if he was on some hallucinogen… What was going on…? The door burst open and Amandeep along with two other men barged in with blazing guns.
Simrat pushed Anshuman to the floor. He heard Amandeep’s voice. “…Drop it Kasim… it’s over now… we have Manpreet safely back with us…you are under arrest… we have recovered evidence against forgery and forceful occupancy of Passion…then money laundering and fake identity… the dead bodies of Ruby and other members of the sleeper cells have been recovered but one of them survived and he gave us the location of the hidden ledgers… so it’s game over Kasim… enough…”
Kasim laughed hysterically. “…I have lived all my life for my father… that old bastard took control and later that swine Haider… but no more… no one can control me anymore… Anshuman… man… take care of Manpreet… I know you will… I am joining my Meera…”
Anshuman scrambled to get up just to see Kasim pull the trigger on himself and his lifeless body and gore fell on the bed next to Meera.
Anshuman stood fixed to the ground shocked at the events that transpired, even as Simrat and other members took control of the situation. Very soon it was time to move the bodies and Meera’s corpse was handed over to him for the last rites.
Later early in the morning, a shocked and confused Manpreet lit the pyre to the ongoing chanting of hymns. Anshuman and Simrat stood on either of his sides and though dazed the boy demonstrated a matured poise. as the flames rose to the skies, Simrat shed tears for the departed soul and Manpreet hugged Anshuman. They waited till the embers faded and Anshuman looked up towards the sky saying a silent prayer. He hoped Meera would now rest in peace…
Anshuman thanked the villagers of Sancoale especially Abenazer, Beatrice, and Albert for their vigilance and support to the SOP. Rewa and Amandeep had left after completing the formalities. Kasim’s identity was not revealed to the villagers and the army retreated the way they had come without anyone knowing about the classified operation. The bodies of Kasim’s men were also taken away by the army to identify and go ahead with other proceedings they deemed fit.
Closure finally came in from all directions….
©priyagole. No part of the story can be copied or shared anywhere without the consent of the writer.
Kasim unraveled…
Chapter 24
Anshuman looked at the surrounding, the waves of the sea which was unusually fierce that day, reflected the emotional tsunami in his heart. They were observing the steel plant and its surroundings from a distance. It was pitch dark but they knew Kasim was a veteran who had stayed hidden without calling for attention successfully for a decade…which was no mean feat. He looked at a restless Amandeep who had been speaking with his fiancé Nirvika very often and he knew the woman calmed the man. The giant of a man was putty in her hands. Though he was grateful for his friends for having stood by him, he was still restless. He would be so till he saw Manpreet and Simrat were safe. He knew Kasim wouldn’t harm his son… but the very thought of that terrorist being the biological father of his sister’s son made him cringe. He hoped the incident didn’t scar Manpreet’s delicate mind further. He still didn’t get it why Manpreet went along with that little girl on the beach. As if on cue, Rewa who was glued to her laptop spoke up. “…that lady ruby you met on the beach was not Kasim’s wife… she was a member of the sleeper cell and the little girl with them was kidnapped. That girl was threatened to drag Manpreet and she was his school classmate and one of the few friends he had. Those guys did their homework well…”
While they waited for the army unit to reach there, their snipers who reached earlier had taken positions, and Albert and Abenazer had provided local eyes. They were furious to be unintentionally involved in something gruesome and pledged complete cooperation from the village. Within half an hour they had gathered eager villagers who had spread across the areas surrounding the steel plant. There were patches of backwaters where the villagers often frequented to catch the shallow tiny fish. So, they knew the areas and one of them had even found the newly fortressed row house. It was well guarded and they were waiting for a plan of action.
Just as Anshuman thought his patience was up his phone buzzed with an incoming private number. He answered it placing it on the speaker.
“…hello…?”
“…hello Anshuman…” Kader alias Kasim’s voice boomed through the speaker making everyone sit up alert. “… I know you are somewhere close by… along with those people…”
“…Kader…Manpreet…?” Anshuman’s agitation knew no boundaries.
“…Manpreet is… my son… I am sure you all know this by now… and I am going to take him with me…I don’t want any bloodshed…I have spent the last few years in this country only for my son… and nothing legally can stop me too…”
“…You are wanted by Interpol for a while now Kasim…” Rewa spoke.
There was a pause after which he chuckled and spoke. “…Look…Miss… whomever you are… your member is here with me… she is my hostage…If you want her alive then don’t try anything that can endanger her… as I said… I don’t want violence but if push comes to shove, I won’t hesitate to take any measures whatsoever…”
“…Is…Is…Meera with you…?” Anshuman’s voice cracked with pain.
“…I know you are desperate Anshuman and have always considered you my friend… Meera is safe here with me… She is coming with me too…she is my family as well… So I extend an olive branch… I will let you come in here to see her for one last time… just you alone… and I mean it… NO SMART GAMES…otherwise all bets are off…”
“…NO…NO…please no… I will come…alone…” Anshuman spoke with anguish laced in his voice.
“…Come over to the back gate of the rowhouse and my men will let you in… come alone…”
The call was disconnected and Rewa instructed her tech team to try getting the exact location. The army unit would be there any minute and they were to cover the area stealthily.
A member of the SOP rushed towards Anshuman and asked him to remove his ear stud and replace it with a look-alike with a hidden transmitter which would help them record what transpired. He was also given a watch that would video record the proceedings with forwards and backward cameras if not confiscated.
Anshuman hurried stumbling in the dark with the cell phone torchlight not enough to illuminate the vast stretch of land plunged into darkness. He managed to reach the said combo and knew he was closely shadowed by one of the SOP guys. As told, he reached the backside of the row house barricaded with towering asbestos sheets shining in the single floodlight illuminating the marshy land around it. The shadow had disappeared into the darkness but Anshuman could feel his presence around somewhere. Two tall men dress in black overall trotting automatic guns, escorted inside and shut the heavy entry door. Right at the entrance, he was frisked for weapons, and his phone was confiscated. He was then taken through a cul-de-sac consisting of a passageway opening into a drawing-room. It was dark, but as soon as he stepped in the lights came on, blinding his orbs.
As he removed his hands from over his eyes, he saw Kasim stand across with hands on his hips and gesturing to his men to leave the place. “…Welcome Anshuman… I am glad you followed my directives…”
“…don’t do this Kasim… you can just leave the country and no one would know…” Anshuman pleaded knowing he would be irking the SOP.
“…if I had to do that Anshuman… I wouldn’t have been here in the first place… I had nothing to do with India… I was well settled with my businesses in the UK… I only came here because of Manpreet… it took me a while to find him and I didn’t want to do anything illegal…”
“…kidnapping a child and women is illegal…”
“…you are getting me wrong again Anshuman…I am Manpreet’s biological father… I got Simrat here just for him… she is inside taking care of him as he sleeps peacefully…and Meera… she is the love of my life… the only woman who has ever been in my heart and soul…”
Anshuman was stunned. “…What… what are you talking about…?”
Kasim gestured him to take a seat while he sat across on the sofa. “…As you must be knowing my father… Wajid-Ul-Rehman… well, he was anything but a father figure… I was his oldest son followed by six daughters and then he developed a condition that rendered him infertile… so despite inclining studies, I was forced to follow his twisted path of Jihad… I had to train the young brainwashed men he got from small hamlets of Baluchistan and war-torn Afghanistan…Despite being an MBA from Oxford I had no choice but to come to India to plan out his… deeds…” He rubbed his face and continued. “…one of those whom we trained was Haider who was exceptionally good and he was the ruthless asshole my father always wished for in a son. He adopted the guy. Haider was savage when it came to pursuing goals… However, he went overboard when he was in Pune during a recce for my father… he was almost caught by the intelligence agencies… and, my father sent me to Pune to get him out… He was involved with Aastha… that Brigadier’s daughter… She was a gold-digging druggie and matched his cruelty… And when I went to her hostel to talk to her…it was then… I saw… Meera… She … she was the only white spot in my dark life… the few words we exchanged were music to my ears…. I lost my heart to her right then… I stayed back in Pune only for her… even after Rehmat got back to Kashmir…we had an affair… and that was… the best phase of my life… but then… my father wanted me back in Kashmir for some training program he had concocted for local traders which would facilitate our arms trade in India…That was the last time I saw Meera… she was heartbroken… so was I… we both knew it would be difficult for us to be together until my father was alive… I promised her I would return and then we would go to another country…” he took a sip of water and sighed. “…I… made arrangements without my father knowing but one fine day he found out… he was outraged… but I didn’t know what he had planned… he sent Rehmat to Pune who in turn colluded with Aastha and they found out she was pregnant with my child… Instead of killing her as originally planned my father decided to take her to Karachi… but Rehmat was the one who didn’t dispose of the plans and once during his talks about the operation Kashmir, with his cronies, Meera overheard him… it was then she realized how dangerous Rehmat was… But it was too late….”
Anshuman thought he saw the glistening in Kasim’s eyes as he continued to listen with a thudding heart.
“… Anshuman… I swear … if I had an inkling of what was going on… I would have given up my life for Meera… I loved her so much… that Bastard Rehmat… he had confiscated her phone and mentally tortured her threatening to kill me if she didn’t cooperate… there was no way I could be in touch with her… the next I heard about the attack on the army battalion… which wasn’t commissioned by dad at all… but dad was happy Rehmat had achieved what I couldn’t… and then we got the news that Meera had died… I was inconsolable but by then Rehmat was invincible… and he had gone into hiding… my father too wasn’t interested in pursuing him… I went to the UK… but a few years later father called me to tell me that my child was brought to this world and he expressed a desire to see him before he died… I didn’t care if the old man lived or died but… I wanted my son… and Meera…It took me years to find them here… and when you came along… it became easier… I am sorry to have used you Anshuman… but I wanted the two most precious people in my life back…”
Anshuman didn’t realize he had been crying… he rubbed away his tears and asked. “…Meera.. where is she…?”
Kasim stood up. “…come along Anshuman… its time to meet your sister…”
©priyagole. No part of the story can be copied or shared anywhere without the consent of the writer.
search is on…
Chapter 23
Their vehicle strutted on the uneven terrain a couple of hours later as they navigated the ill-maintained road towards the port. The SOP team was frantically searching for Simrat’s whereabouts using the feeble tracker information while the Vasco police had mobilized their resources to look for suspicious homes and people.. the locals were all told to be alert and inform the police if they found anything in their vicinity.
Anshuman was lost in his thoughts wondering how would Manpreet be… the boy was weak and he hoped his stammering didn’t get worse. He hoped Simrat kept her nerve and was there with Manpreet to console him and take him through the ordeal. It was beyond him why Kader… Kasim had to take Meera and Simrat… but he was glad Simrat was there. She would get the situation under control till help reached them. He hoped he could get a glimpse of his sister… he just prayed for that little mercy… He blinked back tears remembering their childhood days and how her occasional chatter when she wasn’t painting, brought cheer in their haveli… He just wished he had been more caring and been in touch with her. That was a regret he would take to his grave. He hoped he could have Manpreet in his life permanently… in a way he would be having a part of Meera with him.
Rewa announced that Simrat’s tracker stopped transmission totally and its last location was zeroed down to the Sanchoale village near the port. The vehicles all headed towards the village.
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The sleepy village of Sancoale went about it’s routine. It was 7PM and close to closing time. Abenezer Pinto Ferrao began to pull the shutter of his general store to half. His shop ‘Sanceole Fazer Compress (SFC)’ remained open till 9PM until it was time to hit the sack. His wife of thirty-five years Beatrice got him home-cooked dinner and they sat up chatting till closing time. He had a tiny TV installed and occasionally they were visited over by their neighbor Albert Nigel Barcelos who ran a hardware store. The septuagenarian was happy now that business was picking up post-COVID. Tourists however who came over to face the rural life and stayed in their homestays were now sparse… and Abenezer’s business was affected. However, the childless couple was happy with what they had and had lived off their savings. He hoped that things would get better soon. In the Sixty five years of his life, the last forty were spent in Sancoale. He remembered the days when he had run away from Candolim as a fifteen-year-old to escape from his stepfather’s clutches. After traveling across Goa he had landed in Sancoale. One look at the ruins of the Our Lady of Heath Church and he was a goner. Something about the place and the laid-back locals appealed to him and he stayed back. He did odd jobs for Albert, then a young man who had taken over his father’s business. He learned a lot on the job and the tourist influx led him to start his B&B with a tiny loan. He had met and married Beatrice by then and she had been his strength as the business saw ups and downs. They soon realized the need for a general store for all the B&Bs in the area and thus FSC came into existence a few years ago. Beatrice was a cook par excellence and her puddings were a hit across the village and nearby towns. However, off late he arthritis was holding her back and years of hard work were taking a toll on her body. He had made up his mind to shut the B&B and only keep the shop.
God had been merciful to him. Just when he was wondering about the feeble business, those men today afternoon had purchased more than half his stock. He made a month-long profit in a day. He was thrilled as Beatrice arrived with dinner. He shared the news with her and heard Albert walk in to watch the evening news. Albert’s son was looking after the business now and the old man only came to spend time. He loved Beatrice’s cooking and dropped in to savor some of the dinners. Beatrice often got greater quantity and their chatter till the shop closed was the kind of life Abenezer loved and cherished.
“…So man… heard you had a good day at business today…?” Albert asked as Beatrice served them the meal.
“…oh yes… Lord has been kind… A good figure it was… God bless those men… don’t look like from near around…don’t look like tourists either…” Abenezer commented. Today, they would have good fodder for their conversations. Better than stupid politics. He was always in favor of the United Goans Democratic Party while Albert favored the Goa Forward Party. They often argued on the policies and decisions and Beatrice had to shut them up.
Albert spoke in his strangled hoarse voice caused by years of smoking. “…Oh Lord… my memory these days… Those handsome men visited our hardware unit man… last week as well… looks like some housing project… good sales for us too… but don’t ye think… something is fishy…?” Albert pondered.
Beatrice came and sat next to them with her plate. “…Abe… honey… what is this…? I am worried saiba…”
“…Oh we haven’t done anything wrong… Albert… any idea where they are living…?”
“…Na re… But my Alphonso said… some condo was taken up near the old steel plant…and a lot of modification done… lots of pipework… But no one in the council is aware…we should check…no…?”
The three of them eat in quiet for the first time in years wondering about the new entrants threatening the quiet life of their village.
It was approaching 9 PM and Albert walked to the door to make a move to his house. His grandson Myron waited for him texting away to glory. The young lad was only 14 yrs old and had a girlfriend. Abenezer wondered… ah…kids these days… he shut the door and prepared to shut the shop.
Suddenly a stream of vehicles halted outside causing the dust to spread up before his door as he opened it again. It looked like a police vehicle and a couple of Dark vans. Men with black outfits emerged and ran towards his shop. A tall woman and a police Inspector followed by a harried-looking handsome young man and a tall well built burly rugged-looking man approached him. Beatrice stiffened next to him even as he gripped her bony hand tightly.
They walked up to him and stood. The Inspector spoke. “…Hello I am Inspector D’Lama from Varca police station and we are currently looking out for any kind of strange people presumably hidden in this area… have you seen anyone…?”
“…Str… strange…? As in…? this is a small village Inspector… and now tourism is down too… we rarely have visitors…”
“…Look mister…” the woman spoke. “…this is an emergency and a matter of life and death… please share anything that looked strange in these last couple of days…we are positive the people we are looking for are somewhere here…”
Beatrice nudged at him and Abenezer spoke. “…Well, I don’t know if this will help but today morning…” He told them about the men who made the massive purchase and even about the hardware purchases from Albert.
The people turned around the same way and spoke something about bringing down back up to the old steel plant…steel plant meant oxygen supply. They spoke about some patient and kid…
For the first time since he had run away from home, Abenazer was scared. He said a silent prayer hoping he wasn’t party to some scumbag…
©priyagole. No part of the story can be copied or shared anywhere without the consent of the writer.